Australian officials scrambled to halt China-PNG policing deal
China’s top diplomat pushed for Papua New Guinea to sign a policing agreement with Beijing during a trip to Port Moresby last month, forcing Australian and PNG officials to scramble to prevent an embarrassment for
New flight route between Australia and Palau
A new non-stop flight service between Australia and Palau is being launched with the support of both countries’ governments. The Palau Paradise Express, operated by Nauru Airlines, will fly between Brisbane and
Opinion: Australia’s superannuation rules leave Pacific workers out of pocket
The government must reconsider its tax on the Pacific’s poorest. More than 40,000 Pacific Islanders working in Australia are being unfairly taxed on superannuation contributions – enforced savings payments that they
Opinion: Pacific elder excoriates Australia on AUKUS panel with Bob Carr
Former foreign minister Bob Carr recently described AUKUS as “fragrant, methane-wrapped bullshit”. This remark — tailor-made for the headlines — was covered by media outlets on both sides of the Tasman Sea.
Ni-Vanuatu workers in Australian prisons: Minister
Vanuatu’s Minister for Internal Affairs, Johnny Koanapo, has revealed that many Ni-Vanuatu citizens are currently in prisons in Australia for a wide range of offences, varying from what he described as “very
Opinion: The falling demand of seasonal workers
Evidence over nine months to the end of February 2024 shows a declining demand for Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme seasonal workers — those who used to be under the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP),
Australia pays controversial Chinese company millions for Nauru’s new port
Amid intensifying competition in the region, Australia is bankrolling a Chinese government-backed construction company with a chequered history to build Nauru’s new port. In January, the Chinese Communist Party’s
As protests grow in New Caledonia, Australia backs France’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
As the French National Assembly and Senate debate changes to New Caledonia’s electoral laws, there are protests in the streets of Noumea. On Saturday 13 April, tens of thousands of supporters and opponents of
Anthony Albanese, James Marape to walk Kokoda Track in symbolic Anzac Day visit
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will mark Anzac Day on the Kokoda Track in a highly symbolic visit designed to highlight the shared World War II legacy and growing security relationship between both
Opinion: How to enter the Pacific Engagement Visa ballot
Australia is about to launch a new visa that will for the first time create a Pacific quota in Australia’s permanent migration regime. 3,000 visas will be issued every year for the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste.
Australia and Tuvalu deal back on track, as Falepili Union gets ratification green light
Australia’s Pacific Minister Pat Conroy says Tuvalu’s new government has formally agreed to begin ratifying the landmark Falepili Union with Australia, delivering the federal government a significant foreign policy
Opinion: Yes, there are Chinese police in Fiji. But that’s none of Australia’s business
Sunday’s episode of 60 Minutes revealed a fascinating tension within the Fijian government about whether to embrace a 2011 agreement signed with the Chinese government that allows Fijian police officers to receive
Corruption watchdog to probe whistleblowers’ claims
Claims whistleblowers were targeted for speaking out about a remote tuberculosis unit’s patient care have been referred to Queensland’s corruption watchdog. Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman on
People smugglers branded evil, arrivals sent to Nauru
Recent boat arrivals have prompted calls for a rethink of Australia’s immigration measures as the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader trade barbs on border security, A group of 39 people from Pakistan and
PNG Meth ‘Black Flight’ Suspect Paid Account in Name of Migration Chief: Court Files
A China-born businesswoman accused of taking part in an audacious plot to fly a light plane packed with drugs from Papua New Guinea to Australia allegedly ordered a co-conspirator to pay into a bank account in the name
Solomon Islands Caretaker PM calls on Australia for a more serious dialogue on reciprocal visa waiver
Solomon Islands caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has re-emphasised Solomon Islands’ call to Australia for a serious and genuine dialogue on a visa reciprocal arrangement beyond the Pacific Engagement
Asylum seekers taken to Nauru amid renewed political stoush over border arrivals
More than 40 asylum seekers have been taken to Nauru after they were found in a remote part of Western Australia. Guardian Australia has confirmed a second group of 13 asylum seekers was found at an Indigenous campsite
Australian PM reaffirms backing for PNG NRL side
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has doubled down on his support for ARLC chairman Peter V’landys’ National Rugby League (NRL) expansion bid, calling for a 20-team competition. V’landys is reportedly
Australian Defence Chief unaware of Commander Naliva’s torture allegation
Australia’s Defence Force Chief was unaware a Fijian officer who became a Deputy Commander of 3000 troops was alleged to have committed torture. Colonel Penioni Naliva was appointed the Deputy Commander of the 7th
Pacific Islands push for more university students in Australia
Going to university in Australia could become simpler for Pacific Islanders if they are considered domestic students. The high commissioner for Samoa, Hinauri Petana, told federal politicians the crippling cost of
PNG PM Marape urges Australia to not ‘give up’ on his country in historic parliament address
The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape has urged Australia to not “give up” on his country during an historic address to the federal parliament. On Thursday morning, Marape became the first Pacific
PM Albanese extends warm welcome and solidarity to PNG PM Marape in Australian Parliament
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Thursday extended a warm welcome to Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape at the Australian Parliament in Canberra – the first leader of another nation to address
Queensland trade mission strengthens ties with Fiji and the Pacific
Queensland is set to bolster its trade and investment ties with Fiji through a trade mission led by Trade and Investment Queensland. This week’s mission aims to advance Queensland’s Pacific Trade Strategy,